With the Packers 2013 Draft just around the corner who will they select, this is our Packer 2013 mock draft of 7 rounds? While people talk about Ted Thompson not drafting for need and taking the best player available we think in TTs case that is a bunch of PR, he drafts for need. Last year TT loaded up on defensive talent neglecting the offensive side of the ball entirely, when he drafted Mathews and Raji that was all need, Mason Crosby was a need, same actually with Rodgers although a fluke he was still on the board.

So the question becomes what are the Packers 2013 draft needs, well running back, defensive end, place kicker, safety, tight end, receiver and offensive lineman in that order. In the first round we think Thompson gets desperate again to try and solve the defensive impact player problem and climbs the ladder for Bjoern Warner. Last year Ted Thompson tried to select a number of defensive players to solve that side of the fields problems and it didn't work this year he goes back to trying to get the impact guy and has to trade up around the 16 slot to make it work. This is a big gamble as Ted doesn't even have as many picks as he likes to have in 2013, but he needs an impact guy on defense and he knows it.

In the second round the Packers end the madness and go ahead and select Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter who falls into their laps as he slides down draft boards. Justin gives Rodgers another present as someone to look forward to in the future, the Packers are a good fit for him as they can give him a couple of years to develop some timing with Rodgers as a homerun threat on the outside.

In the third round Ted Thompson breaks down and ends the running back madness when he selects Wisconsin's Montee Ball. Ted Thompson will not select a running back until the third round just to prove he won't go against one of his "philosophies", this isn't a bad idea on his part anyways as the odds of him effectively evaluating which running back to take in a high round clearly aren't there anyways. Teams shy away from Montee until this point thinking it is the Badger way that made him into the player he was, Thompson despite not loving Badgers sees past this as he doesn't like the lineman at UW to begin with. Montee Ball in turn provides the Badgers exactly what they need, a running back who will keep his head up, be ready to go when his number gets called, and provide positive yardage. Montee Ball can even catch and throw a few out of the backfield so he gives MM one more offensive play in the playbook to keep defensive coaches up at night.

In the fourth round Ted gets his safety going with Josh Evans out of Florida. Josh was the leading tackler for the Gators and is used to playing at SEC speed. TT decides to take a safety that can tackle, more of an area of need for this team than a guy who wishes he was a cornerback.

In the fifth round of our Packers 2013 Mock Draft 7 round affair we say they will pickup another Badger in a surprise move as TT sees value as Ricky Wagner slips late into the fifth round. Ricky has some flexibility in that he could potentially play on the left or the right size and the Packers could use this versatility. Wagner is also a value because he has gone through adversity and managed to get his game back together with the Badgers offensive line problems in 2012 well documented.

For the Packers 2nd pick of the 5th round they go with a flyer on defensive end Mike Catapano out of Princeton. Yes you heard us we said out of Princeton, he had 12 sacks last year and as we mentioned TT is desperate for an impact player. Thompson really isn't much for the small school guys but this could be a Jennings type player who just gets it done no matter what the stage. Catapano had a nice East West Shrine game which lead some to believe this is the case.

In the 6th round the Packers select kicker Caleb Sturgis out of Florida. Caleb has a strong leg and at this point it is worth the Packers at least giving Crosby someone to compete with. If Mason gets his act together, well then great but the Packers need to do something as this is a major need.

For the Packers 2013 7th round draft pick they select Michael Clay an outside linebacker out of Oregon. Clay is a little undersized to play linebacker and could be a guy without a position, however his 101 tackles point to a guy who might be a good special teamer. Thompson likes his linebackers and can't help but select one in 2013, Clay also maybe could be a project that moves to safety and that wouldn't be all bad either.

There you have it folks this is our current 7 round Packer 2013 Mock Draft. The one thing that we decided to do as you probably noticed is give a pick for all rounds despite having Ted trade up in the first round, which would take draft picks. Our thinking is that it would give a better picture of the Packers overall draft to select in all rounds as it is clearly not a given TT would trade away picks.

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